What additional step should be taken if a TASER CEW is used inappropriately?

Documenting the incident immediately after inappropriate use of a TASER Conducted Energy Weapon (CEW) is essential for several reasons. Accurate documentation helps create a clear and thorough record of the event, which can be vital for legal, administrative, and departmental review. It allows for capturing details while they are fresh in the mind, reducing the risk of memory bias or alteration over time. This documentation can also serve as a critical tool during investigations into the incident and can provide a basis for assessing the situation and ensuring accountability.

Timely documentation also assists in identifying patterns of misuse or institutional training needs, enabling departments to address any shortcomings in training or policy. Keeping a complete and immediate record supports transparency and can help protect both the officers involved and the integrity of the department in the face of potential legal ramifications or public scrutiny.

While conducting a debrief with involved officers and reporting to authorities are important steps as well, these typically come after an incident has already been documented. Setting the device aside for later use is not a proactive response to address the concerns surrounding inappropriate use. Therefore, immediate documentation stands out as a critical and foundational step in the aftermath of inappropriate use of a TASER CEW.